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Rosenthal Glasstudio “Fadenglas” Filigrana Vase – Mario Colelli & Hertha Bengtson · Limited Edition, Germany
€549Bid from €449
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Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 25 sales
Product description
Rosenthal Glasstudio “Fadenglas” Vase – Mario Colelli & Hertha Bengtson
Limited Edition Studio Glass, Germany, Late 20th Century
A rare and highly refined example from Rosenthal’s celebrated Glasstudio program, this sculptural filigrana glass vase embodies the sophisticated dialogue between Italian glassmaking virtuosity and Scandinavian modernist clarity. Designed by Mario Colelli in collaboration with Hertha Bengtson, the piece belongs to Rosenthal’s ambitious late-20th-century efforts to elevate glass into the realm of collectible studio design.
Executed in hand-blown glass using the traditional Venetian filigrana (Fadenglas) technique, the vase incorporates fine spiralling threads of black and deep red glass suspended within clear crystal. These delicate linear inclusions create a hypnotic optical vortex around the central opening, producing a kinetic visual effect that intensifies and shifts with changing light conditions.
The coloration moves elegantly between smoky darkness and glowing red translucency, giving the object both dramatic depth and remarkable visual restraint. As light travels through the glass, the filigrana pattern appears to rotate and dissolve, transforming the vase into a dynamic sculptural presence rather than a static decorative vessel.
The form itself is low, broad, and generously rounded, emphasizing horizontality and optical depth. Its disc-like proportions allow the filigrana structure to dominate the visual experience, while the circular aperture anchors the composition and reinforces the centrifugal movement of the pattern.
The base bears the Rosenthal Glasstudio signature together with the edition number, confirming its status as a strictly limited production of only 200 examples.
About the Designers
Mario Colelli, closely associated with Murano glassmaking traditions, brought exceptional technical expertise in complex cane and filigrana techniques. His work is characterized by precision, optical layering, and an extraordinary control of transparency and pattern within glass.
Hertha Bengtson (1917–1993), one of Scandinavia’s most influential modernist designers, is best known for her long collaboration with Rosenthal. Trained within the Swedish functionalist tradition, Bengtson contributed a disciplined formal language rooted in proportion, clarity, and restraint. Her collaboration with Colelli represents a fascinating synthesis of Murano craftsmanship and Northern European modernism.
Rosenthal Glasstudio Context
Rosenthal’s Glasstudio editions, particularly from the 1970s onward, sought to position studio glass alongside porcelain as a medium for avant-garde artistic production. Through collaborations with international designers and master glassmakers, Rosenthal created limited-edition objects that bridged:
• Murano studio glass traditions
• Scandinavian modernist design principles
• German industrial precision and production quality
This vase stands as a quintessential example of that vision — where centuries-old Venetian filigrana techniques are reinterpreted through a distinctly modernist lens.
Details
Designers: Mario Colelli & Hertha Bengtson
Manufacturer: Rosenthal Glasstudio
Origin: Germany (Murano glassmaking influence)
Period: Late 20th century
Material: Hand-blown glass
Technique: Filigrana / Fadenglas
Finish: Glossy
Colors: Black, deep red, and clear crystal
Edition: Limited edition of 200
Model / Edition number: 012-31/200
Dimensions
Height: approx. 10.5 cm
Diameter: approx. 23 cm
Opening: approx. 6 cm
Condition
Excellent vintage condition. No chips, cracks, or repairs observed. Minor internal inclusions or tiny production-related specks may be present under strong light, entirely consistent with hand-blown filigrana studio glass production.
Collector’s Note
Limited Rosenthal Glasstudio collaborations involving Murano techniques are increasingly sought after by collectors of postwar European studio glass and late modernist design. This example is particularly striking due to its strong optical movement, sculptural proportions, and refined balance between decorative complexity and formal restraint.
An exceptional collector’s piece and a highly atmospheric sculptural centerpiece, especially under directional light where the filigrana pattern reveals its full optical intensity.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Please explore our profile for more vintage vases!
International buyers: import duties or taxes, if applicable, are the buyer’s responsibility.
All items are photographed and described with care. Vintage pieces may show minimal traces of age; any significant flaws will be clearly mentioned.
Private sale under law: no returns, refunds, or warranties.
Specifications
ConditionVery goodColorsOrange, TransparentMaterialGlassNumber of items1BrandRosenthalHeight12 cmWidth23 cmDepth23 cm
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Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerBerlin, GermanyOn Whoppah since August 2023 • 25 sales